Jerry Stackhouse eager for chance with the Heat

Veteran guard hopes to fill void left by Mike Miller

MIAMI — Jerry Stackhouse had a hard time hiding his enthusiasm when he received the phone call from the Miami Heat Wednesday night.

After the Heat learned they would be without swingman Mike Miller for half the season, they requested for Stackhouse to come workout the following day. Stackhouse wasted little time in agreeing.

"Can I come workout (Thursday)," Stackhouse said. "I'm ready to go. I can come workout tonight if you want me to. This is a blessing. I just thank God that He's able to allow me to still be able to play this late in my career."

Stackhouse, who signed a one-year, $1.4 million veteran's minimum contract, provides the Heat with another scorer with size. He will fill the void left by Miller, who is out until January after undergoing thumb surgery.

"With him being out, hopefully I can provide some depth and at the same time hopefully bring some intangibles from my own game that can maybe help the overall big picture of what the team is trying to accomplish," Stackhouse said.

Stackhouse, 35, joins the team that prevented him from winning an NBA title in 2006. He appears in six photos in the Heat's "championship alley" at AmericanAirlines Arena. Guard Dwyane Wade sent out a Twitter message Saturday night saying he would do his best to avoid teasing Stackhouse.

"Hopefully, I can change some of the pictures this year," Stackhouse said. "We can add some more and at least take down the ones with me."

A 16-year veteran, Stackhouse will be mostly counted on for his experience. He's a two-time All-Star and played last season with Milwaukee.

"First of all, it's great to add another veteran to the team," forward LeBron James said. "It's amazing to see that he's been in the league for 16 years now. He's someone who last year proved he can still play this game."

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said he's yet to define a role for Stackhouse. While Miller is a better 3-point shooter, Stackhouse has improved over the years. He shot 34 percent with the Bucks last season. How fast he contributes depends on how long it takes to adjust to the Heat's terminology.

"He knows how to fit in," Spoelstra said. "He's played in so many different systems. He's able to pick up things on the fly."

Stackhouse has remained conditioned while being a free agent, but said he hopes to be in "NBA shape" in a few weeks. He is unsure of how much he will play, but let Heat president Pat Riley he is willing to take on any role.

"He said it could be some nights where you can play and have huge roles, and some nights where you may not play," Stackhouse said. "I was like, 'Well, I got plenty two-piece suits, three-piece suits, if that's the case.' "